THE ROOSEVELT ISLAND BRIDGE GOING ON AND OFF THE ISLAND IS TEMPORALLY SHUT DOWN BY NYPD. DUE TO A VEHICLE ACCIDENT ON 36 AVENUE AND VERNON BLVD.

followed by another at 8:05 AM:

THE 36TH AVENUE ROOSEVELT ISLAND BRIDGE IS REOPENED FOR ALL VEHICLE TRAFFIC. HOWEVER, DUE TO A VEHICLE ACCIDENT AND CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION, TRAFFIC DELAYS ARE EXPECTED, WHILE TRAVELING TO AND FROM ROOSEVELT ISLAND VIA THE BRIDGE.

... according to NYPD, at about 5:30 am there was a two car collision on 36th avenue and Vernon Blvd. A F/W/38 was transported from location to Cornell hospital via EMS in serious condition and likely to die due to head injuries. NYPD is still investigating.

The NY Daily News adds:

A 38-year-old woman is fighting for her life after a head-on collision in Queens.

A livery cab and another vehicle slammed into each other on Vernon Blvd. near 37th Ave. in Astoria, a block from the Roosevelt Island Bridge.https://t.co/FrFRqCHySo

Friday, July 12, 2019

Wikimedia NYC invites you to attend the Wiknic, the "picnic anyone can edit" in Roosevelt Island (picnic site: Southpoint Park) for Sunday July 14, 2019, from about 2:00 - 7:00 pm, as part of the Great American Wiknic celebrations being held across the United States....

... This year the Wiknic will double as a Strategy Salon, using open space technology to address these two questions facing our social movement:

How might we build Wikimedia into an effective convenor of impactful partnerships, coalitions, and collective action based on a shared vision of open knowledge and the “Big Open” Movement?

How do we, as a global Wikimedia movement, avoid the pitfall of recentism, tapping in to elder networks, LGBT networks, women’s networks, indigenous communities, etc. to develop volunteers for the project as writers, developers, and document gatherers to find and preserve our hidden collective history?...

Reported last week that the Roosevelt Island Community Garden was open to the public on weekends from 9 AM - 7 PM

Last July 4, I spoke with Roosevelt Island Garden Club (RIGC) member and Green Roosevelt Island Neighbors (GRIN) founder Anthony Luongo about the Community Garden. Mr Longo is rightly proud of the work done by RI Garden Club members and wants to share this spectacular Roosevelt Island oasis with the community. According to Mr Longo, at the Community Garden:

Everybody can come and just relax, look at nature....

... Children are able to smell that the food comes out of the ground and not from the grocery store...

... we've got a beautiful cottonwood tree gear that has just been around for probably a century or more. We've got our own little ecosystem out here not to mention 132 individual plots and a common area in the back where we do a lot of the work and the composting in addition to a little bamboo forest and a goldfish pond.

So we welcome you to come out at any time during the weekend or pop by and see if you know anyone else here.

Visit us. Come with ideas let us know what you're interest in.

We hope to see you soon.

The RIGC adds:

The front common area is quiet place to relax a bit and RIGC has benches in every border area for guests to sit down and enjoy the plants, birds, and butterflies. Visitors of all ages are welcome. Reminders: please stay on the main gravel paths

Make sure to check out the RIGC Bamboo Forest

and

Goldfish Pond - it's quite a site and you'll almost forget you're in NYC.

More good news. During June 13 Roosevelt Island Town Hall Meeting organized by Council Member Ben Kallos, MTA representative Markus Book reported that there are no planned Roosevelt Island F Train weekend disruptions until August 16 weekend.

Mr Book took questions on a variety of Roosevelt Island subway and bus issues including morning rush hours overcrowding and promised to look into suggested solutions to relieve overcrowding. Mr Book added that the MTA might consider adding a second entrance/exit at the north side of the Roosevelt Island F Train station

Over the last few years, Roosevelt Island has experienced tremendous growth, from the thriving Cornell Tech campus to the opening of the wonderful Four Freedoms State Park. In addition, several large-scale events, such as the Roosevelt Island Cherry Blossom Festival (which was attended by roughly 30,000 people) have attracted visitors from across the city in unprecedented numbers. While we welcome this evolution, we must ensure that the island’s transportation infrastructure keeps pace with the undeniably sharp increase in visitors. For this reason, I would like to respectfully request that MTA add a second entrance and exit with four additional turnstiles at the north side of the Roosevelt Island F train station.

As we explore ways to improve all transportation options on Roosevelt Island, providing an additional entrance at the F train station is a low-cost, common-sense solution that will alleviate overcrowding, address rider safety and provide relief for thousands of New Yorkers who depend on this line as a primary source of transportation.

My office will be following up in the next couple of days. However, if you would like to discuss this request in further detail, as always, please feel free to contact my office at (212) 828-5829. Thank you for your time and attention to this matter.

Sincerely,

Sen. José M. Serrano
29th Senate District

Also, as of today both Roosevelt Island subway elevators are working and 1 of the escalators is out of service

The US Census is coming! Not only is it important that you’re counted, but that New Yorkers take full advantage of the wide-ranging positions available (salary from $25 to $100 per hour). Apply for job opportunities now. Don’t know where to start? Having difficulty or need help navigating the census online system (2020census.gov/jobs)?

Want to see what you may be eligible for in the New York region? Come get onsite help and your questions answered from US Census Bureau representatives. Guidance will be offered with applications for jobs including local field operations and specialized postings that are open. There will be Census staff and computers available to walk you through the online application process for the Census jobs. Get timely updates and share with your neighbors and community networks.

As previously reported, Kevin Brown, seen below shaking hands with recently retired Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Public Safety Department (PSD) Director Jack McManus, has taken over the position of PSD Acting Director as of July 1.

Re-Introducing RIOC is a new way for RIOC to inform residents and stakeholders about the many new people who have come to work on the island in the past several years.

In a recent interview, Kevin Brown, the Acting Director of the Public Safety Department (PSD), took some time to answer a few questions about his life and his career.

Erica Spencer-EL: You were working with Jack for almost three years and most people in the community know you as “Deputy Brown”. I understand that you’ve had a very interesting career before arriving to the island. Tell us a little bit more about your background. Where were you born?

Kevin Brown: I was born and raised on the Lower East Side of Manhattan. I attended New York City public schools and in my senior year of high school, NYPD recruiters came with the opportunity and I signed up. At 20 years old I became a police officer and served for 32 years, from 1984-2016. It was a dream job that gave me the opportunity to become a detective, sergeant, and a lieutenant.

Jessica Murray: That means you were with the NYPD during the 9/11 attacks. Could you tell us more about that tragic time?

KB: I was stationed at Ground Zero and had been inside the building only five minutes before they started to collapse. That day changed my life and career forever. I began looking at my job, at people, and at relationships differently.

Erica: In speaking with you, education has played an important role in your life. How so?

KB: A few years after I joined the NYPD, I decided to continue my studies and enrolled in LaGuardia Community College to obtain an Associate’s degree. Soon after, I took my Lieutenant’s test and passed. Years later, I went on to John Jay College to complete the remaining credits needed to obtain my Bachelor’s degree. After graduating from college, I thought about life after the NYPD and knew I wanted to give back to the community. I thought about becoming a high school teacher, but it wasn’t for me. In 2006 I was asked to teach at John Jay College and I loved it. I still teach part time now.

Jessica: What made you decide to work on Roosevelt Island?

In 2016, the Police Department was going through some changes and I decided to look for other opportunities. I got an interview at Roosevelt Island (but already had a good job lined up) and knew of Jack McManus, the Chief of Public Safety because I had served as Commanding Officer of The Operations Division during the 9/11 tragedy. Meeting with Jack was like catching up with an old friend and I started working for RIOC in September 2016.

Erica: What have you learned from working here so far?

KB: Jack and I view Roosevelt Island as a small town that could benefit from the community policing program. The dynamics of this island are unique. This is a passionate and tight-knit community. I admire the passion of Roosevelt Island residents.

Jessica: What do you think is the hardest part about working?

KB: The challenge is realizing that no two people are the same. Some can be more argumentative than others, but everyone deserves to be treated with courtesy, professionalism, and respect. Sometimes that means taking a few extra minutes to explain that PSD can’t do certain things or that residents aren’t allowed to do certain things. Either way, my golden rule is to treat people the way you want to be treated.

Erica: Can you give us an idea about crime on the island and where it stands right now?

KB: Reported crime is consistently low. Major crimes are very low. Quality of life drives perception; perception becomes reality. Low crime levels become a reality when you educate people on the facts. People are not going to travel here to commit a crime and residents on the island mostly know each other, so criminals are more likely to get caught.

Jessica: Do you see a difference in dealing with different people in the island and their perception of the capacities of Public Safety?

KB: The long-term residents come to PSD for service. They know us, they’ve lived here for a long time. New-comers wouldn’t think the PSD provides full service. We are here to improve the quality of life of people on this island. We are often mediators and problem solvers.

Erica: Could you tell us more about partnerships and initiatives to assure the island’s safety?

KB: Emergency preparedness is a hot topic. PSD has a number of resources we can reach out to at NYC Emergency Management (“NYCEM”), FDNY, NYPD, and other agencies outside of our department. We know who to call or reach out to in different situations. The office of Emergency Management is key during an evacuation or in other serious emergencies. All relevant agencies are aware of Roosevelt Island’s Emergency Preparedness Plan.

Jessica: What would you like to accomplish while Acting Director?

KB: The officers here should continue to be highly trained, should be respected, and perform their duties with professionalism. They should be well-trained and earn respect, so they can render good service to the community.

Enjoy twilight evenings, and other fun surprises at FDR Four Freedoms State Park on Thursdays this July as we stay open until 8:30pm! Summer Sunset Thursdays will take place on July 11th, 18th, and 25th.

Don't miss the 1st Summer Sunset Thursday, starting July 11th, when we're open until 8:30pm! It not only coincides with Manhattanhenge, we also have a special meetup: Sunset Sketching with Hugo Barros Costa. Enjoy the best season of the year with us!

Twice a year, the sun sets perfectly in line with the NYC streetgrid creating a unique event nicknamed “Manhattanhenge,” and you can see it from FDR Four Freedoms State Park as we stay open late for one of our Summer Sunset Thursdays! This event kicks off Archtober, NYC’s annual month-long celebration of architecture and design in October.

The Park will have food, beer, and wine for sale, as well as picnicking on the lawn. There will also be a free sketching workshop led by acclaimed architect and artist Hugo Barros Costa, Wonder Photo Shop NYC will be onsite with an interactive photo installation, and many more surprises!

Enter the 3rd Annual Sketch 4 Freedom contest! Artists of all skill levels are encouraged to submit sketches developed at FDR Four Freedoms State Park. This year's theme is "Light & Shadow." Click the link for more info!

Bring your camera or smart phone and join Street Dreams Magazine for an evening of creative connection & community building in anticipation of Photoville 2019 with a photo walk at FDR Four Freedoms State Park hosted by New York's own Steven "Sweatpants" Irby + Raheim "Black Soap" Simon.

This event is produced in collaboration with United Photo Industries and coincides with Summer Sunset Thursdays, an evening inviting visitors to enjoy the twilight hours at the Park. This event is free and open to the public; registration is required.

Using the unique architecture of FDR Four Freedoms State Park as a backdrop, students will be assigned a location in the Park to use as inspiration for their photographs. In each group, members will take turns alternating between photographer and model, working together to bring each person's ideas to life. Students will be encouraged to combine key components of their assigned backdrop such as composition, color, lighting and shadows with their desired subject matter to create a narrative of their choosing.

This is a BYOC (bring-your-own-camera) workshop that will meet for an introduction before heading out on assignment around FDR Four Freedoms State Park. The workshop will wrap-up with a casual group critique, where students can share work and ideas, and get feedback from instructors and workshop peers.

This event is produced in collaboration with United Photo Industries and coincides with Summer Sunset Thursdays, an evening inviting visitors to enjoy the twilight hours at the Park. This event is free and open to the public; registration is required.

Perhaps there are future US Soccer Team Women and Men players right here on Roosevelt Island?

UPDATE 5:30 PM

The 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup champions are taking pictures with fans after reaching Newark Liberty International Airport and they'll soon be heading to New York, where they'll have a press conference near their hotel pic.twitter.com/vZuk5XqAHw

Roosevelt Island will the the site for a film shoot tomorrow that will include a low flying helicopter over the southern tip of Roosevelt Island landing on the Cornell Tech Campus. According to the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC):

Please be advised that a helicopter scene for an upcoming movie will be shot on Roosevelt Island’s Cornell Tech campus on Monday, July 8th between the hours of 6:00AM and 10:00AM. The north loop bus service will be closed during these times.

Since filming will take place solely on Cornell Tech property, RIOC has no jurisdiction to grant or deny the filming request. However, RIOC staff and PSD have insisted that the helicopter must approach the island from the southeast and only over water before it lands on the Cornell Tech campus. The helicopter will not fly anywhere near our residential buildings and no island operations – save for the temporary closure of the north loop – will be impacted during filming. PSD is working closely with the NYPD Aviation Unit and the FDNY, both of whom will be on the Island to make sure filming is conducted in a safe manner and with minimal inconvenience to Roosevelt Island residents.

In gratitude for the community's cooperation, the movie's producers will provide a Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream Truck with free ice cream at the Good Shepherd Plaza from 3PM-5PM.

Paramount Pictures’ and Entertainment One’s CLIFFORD THE BIG RED DOG will be filming on the Cornell Tech campus on Roosevelt Island. Paramount has sought all of the requisite approvals and has taken safety precautions to land a helicopter as part of the filming during a small portion of a single day (July 8th). The studio has been working closely with the Fire Department of New York (FDNY) and the aviation unit of the New York Police Department (NYPD) who will both be on site for the landing. The studio is also coordinating with the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation (RIOC) and the Public Safety Department (PSD). The helicopter will fly in and out from the south and it will, at no point, be flying over the residential areas of the Island.

​Walt Becker is directing Clifford the Big Red Dog, which stars Darby Camp and Jack Whitehall. This big, classic family film follows Emily Elizabeth who befriends Clifford as she’s trying to fit in at home and at school. He grows to a giant size and attracts the attention of a genetics company. Emily and her Uncle Casey have to fight the forces of greed as they go on the run across New York.

Here's the story of how Clifford The Big Red Dog got made.

Noise and potential safety issues from low flying helicopters and seaplanes has been a long standing complaint among some Roosevelt Island residents. During the recent June 13 Roosevelt Island Town Hall meeting with elected officials, a resident asked a staffer from Congresswoman Maloney's office what could be done to alleviate this problem. The staffer said that Congresswoman Maloney supports banning non-essential low flying helicopters over NYC. Here's the discussion.

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WELCOME TO ROOSEVELT ISLAND

Welcome to the Roosevelt Islander Online!

Roosevelt Island is a mixed income, racially diverse waterfront community situated in the East River of New York City between Manhattan and Queens and is jurisdictionally part of Manhattan. The Roosevelt Island Tramway, which connects Roosevelt Island to the rest of Manhattan, has become the iconic symbol of Roosevelt Island to its residents.

The Purpose of this Blog is to provide accurate and timely information about Roosevelt Island as well as a forum for residents to express opinions and engage in a dialogue to improve our community.